From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Fred Itua, Okwe Obi, Abuja and Abdurrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
No fewer than 229 persons have been killed, 386,239 displaced and 94,492 houses affected by floods across 29 states in the last 9 months.
Data released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), yesterday, showed that floods have had the most impact on the North East and North West regions.
The data from the agency’s National Emergency Operations Centre, also revealed that the South West had the lowest number of affected and displaced persons.
The North East ranked the highest with 364,766 affected persons, 213,871 displaced persons, 82 deaths, 34,187 affected houses, and 82,588 affected farmlands. No lives were lost in Akwa Ibom, Benue Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gombe, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and Plateau States.
States with the most affected farmlands included Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kano, Yobe, Enugu and Borno States.
Meanwhile, the people and government of Borno State are facing a humanitarian crisis following the collapse of Alau Dam after being at full capacity for weeks.
Consequently, over 200,000 residents have been displaced and critical infrastructure, including the Post Office and Maiduguri Teaching Hospital damaged. Strategic areas including parts of the Shehu of Borno Palace, Maiduguri Central Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital have been submerged. Other areas badly hit included the GRA, Maiduguri Zoo, College of Nursing, College of Agriculture and School of Health Technology, among others. At press time, many residents were seen evacuating basic items to areas considered relatively safer, with some youths erecting sandbags to prevent flood from entering their quarters.
Jailbreak
Amid the flooding, there has been a prison break, with unconfirmed number of inmates escaping from the city’s Custodial facility.
The rising waters damaged the prison, breaching security barriers and weakening the structure, allowing inmates to flee.
Authorities have confirmed that the escapees were highly dangerous and may be armed, posing a heightened risk to public safety in the region already affected by insurgency.
A manhunt is ongoing with law enforcement agencies mobilising additional resources to recapture the inmates.
Situation terrible
At press time, the state government was yet to issue official figures of casualties but had ordered the closure of public and private schools for two weeks.
“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms and the water is heading toward the river bank,” a government statement said.
Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down. The University of Maiduguri has been closed till further notice. The university management announced the temporary closure in a statement yesterday by its registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan.
The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) described the situation as terrible. According to the Director General, Mr. Barkindo Mohammed, water from the dam has continued to submerge various wards in the town while thousands of displaced residents were scouting for safer places.
He said the agency has commenced rescue operations and distribution of sandbags. “Just now, we went for a rescue and proceeded to distribute sandbags in Gozari. As I am talking to you now I am trapped; we came to rescue some people and we are now trapped with my staff,’’ he said.
Beware of deadly animals unleashed by flood
The state government also warned residents to beware of crocodiles, snakes and other deadly animals washed away by flood.
A statement by Ali Don Best, general manager of the Borno State Museum Park, said the flood washed away deadly animals like crocodiles and snakes in the communities.
“We are calling on the general public to be aware and take all the necessary precautionary measures to avoid these animals. With regret, sense of concern and responsibility, the General Manager wishes to ensure safety and protection for the remaining living things within his jurisdiction.”
Tinubu pledges support
President Bola Tinubu has assured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government was prepared to collaborate to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his condolences to the affected families and emphasised the need for immediate evacuation of those in danger.
He directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist victims even as he pledged to mobilise federal resources to support the state during this crisis.
He has also directed his deputy, Kashim Shettima, to, as a matter of urgency, visit Maiduguri.
. Worst in 3 decades – Shettima
Shettima, former governor of the state, has described the floods as the most catastrophic in over three decades in the state capital
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment in Maiduguri, Shettima said the impacts of the floods exceeded estimation, but assured that the Federal Government would prioritise the welfare of the affected communities.
“The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences. The disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the increasing threats posed by climate change, not just globally, but particularly to North East regions. Nigeria’s vulnerability to flood disasters has been highlighted time and again, as witnessed during the devastating floods of 2012, 2018, and 2022.
“The factors contributing to these recurring disasters are diverse, and it is for this reason that Tinubu has developed a comprehensive roadmap to address these challenges headlong. Nonetheless, the Federal Government remains determined in its commitment,” he said.
Shettima said as with other states facing similar crises, the government was resolute in mobilising all necessary resources to ensure the safety and support of affected persons.
Northern governors
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has expressed deep concern for people who have been adversely affected by the calamity.
Chairman of the Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in a statement, on behalf of the 19 northern governors, extended assurances of solidarity and support to Governor Zulum and the people of the state.
He expressed concern for other states in the North and across Nigeria facing similar flooding incidents, urging the Federal Government and humanitarian organisations to boost their relief efforts.
Governor Yahaya commended the swift response of the State government and the efforts of emergency responders and other volunteers on the ground. He called on NEMA and other relevant agencies to intensify their interventions to provide relief to affected residents, particularly women, children, and vulnerable groups and prayed for the protection and well-being of all affected communities, trusting that with collective action, the people will overcome this challenge and rebuild stronger.
Floods in Borno, others national calamity -Buhari.
Former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with the government and people of Borno and the other states.
Buhari said he had heard of the widespread devastation of homes, farmland, and the loss of life in Borno and several other states of the federation. He expressed his hope that the relief measures by the various governments would provide comfort and help people who had lost their family members and livelihood to resume their normal lives.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this natural disaster,” he said.
Ndume devastated
Meanwhile, former Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government to immediately intervene and support the State government as well as the affected residents and homes.
In a statement, Ndume who represents Borno South Senatorial district just returned from the state where he reached out to families affected by insurgency in the district. He said he was devastated by the news report about the ravaging flood.
He said all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other agencies of government, to immediately mobilise and come to the aid of affected residents and homes in Maiduguri.
Ndume explained that the state government, being very proactive, has already activated all mechanisms to salvage the situation, by evacuating people from affected areas and providing the needed support.
He, however, lamented that the gravity of the damage by the flooding was beyond the state government, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and give residents the needed support.
His words: “What has happened in my dear State capital, Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is very bad. I’ve been briefed and what I’ve heard isn’t not something we should take likely.
“Homes, institutions, government agencies, and other businesses have been submerged in the flood. Many people are trapped and are trying to evacuate. I’m worried that the situation may get worse unless the Federal Government immediately steps in to assist the State Government in salvaging the situation.
“I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we’ll witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable.
“I’m in touch with my colleagues, the State Government, its officials and other stakeholders on what we can do to solve the situation. I hope in the future, we’ll be able to guide against this occurrence. This is a serious disaster and we need the prayers and support of every Nigerian.”
